So this may seem a bit controversial, but now that Tesla is no longer shipping the 14-50 adapters with the UMC / new vehicles, I would like to throw out there that 14-50 is perhaps no longer the logical receptacle to install for home installations.
Here are the benefits of a 6-50 receptacle over a 14-50:
Now this assumes basic 6 gauge copper NM cable and at 100 feet (which perhaps is a little longer than the average install?)
The 14-50 comes out to be almost 62% more expensive!
Now, if you are paying a professional to install this, the vast majority of the cost is probably their labor and the delta cost for them to do a 14-50 vs. a 6-50 is not much (6-50 is going to be less stiff so perhaps marginally easier to install).
Am I missing anything here?
What do you think?
Here are the benefits of a 6-50 receptacle over a 14-50:
- Does not require a neutral wire which is an added cost
- Cable is smaller in diameter and more flexible, so easier to install
- Receptacle is less expensive
- Less wires required in the wall box makes for easier installation
- Future EVSEs might not come with a 6-50 receptacle option (though there are J1772 EVSE's that support 6-50 right now)
- You can't use the receptacle for visiting RV's (most EV owners won't care about this)
- Buying the 14-50 adapter from Tesla instead of the 6-50 would allow you to use that 14-50 adapter elsewhere when on the road (and 14-50 is more common these days than 6-50)
Now this assumes basic 6 gauge copper NM cable and at 100 feet (which perhaps is a little longer than the average install?)
The 14-50 comes out to be almost 62% more expensive!
Now, if you are paying a professional to install this, the vast majority of the cost is probably their labor and the delta cost for them to do a 14-50 vs. a 6-50 is not much (6-50 is going to be less stiff so perhaps marginally easier to install).
Am I missing anything here?
What do you think?